Laboratory Safety

Laboratory Standard

Safe, Green Labs

Did you know that laboratories use 4-5 times more energy than an office space per square foot? Green your lab and share your efforts. Conserve energy and water use, reduce hazardous waste, recycle materials, purchase green, and stay safe.

Laboratory Standard

OSHA's Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories standard (29 CFR 1910.1450), referred to as the Laboratory standard, covers laboratories where chemical manipulation generally involves small amounts of a limited variety of chemicals. This standard applies to all hazardous chemicals meeting the definition of “laboratory use” and having the potential for worker exposure.

What is a Laboratory?

A Laboratory means a facility where the “laboratory use of hazardous chemicals” occurs. Wright State has many locations where relatively small quantities of hazardous chemicals are used on a non-production basis.

Laboratory use of hazardous chemicals means handling or use of such chemicals in which all of the following conditions are met:

Chemical manipulations are carried out on a “laboratory scale” (i.e., work with substances in which the containers used for reactions, transfers, and other handling of substances is designed to be easily handled by one person);

Multiple chemical procedures or chemicals are used;

The procedures involved are not part of a production process, nor do they in any way simulate a production process; and

"Protective laboratory practices and equipment” are available and in common use to minimize the potential for worker exposure to hazardous chemicals.

American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) collects and makes available a compilation of laboratory safety incidents which may be used by health and safety professionals, faculty, supervisors, students and any others who may benefit from these "lessons learned".